Weymouth is a historic fishing and ferry port, and today is one of Britain’s most popular seaside resorts on the central south coast of the County of Dorset in England. The city of approximately 52,000 residents is located at the mouth of the Wey River and overlooks the sheltered Weymouth Bay with its long, gently curving, sandy beach. This coastal region, known as the ‘Jurassic Coast’, is famous for its unique and beautiful geological features which are now classified as a World Heritage Site. These include Chesil Beach, a 30 kilometre long shingle beach, Durdle Door, a picturesque natural limestone arch, Lulworth Cove, an almost complete circular limestone cove and the Isle of Portland, a limestone island which is joined to the mainland by Chesil Beach. Weymouth is centrally located on the ‘Jurassic Coast’ making it an ideal base from which to enjoy the dramatic cliffs, quiet coves, shingle banks and long sandy beaches, backed by the picturesque rolling hills of Dorset. This area is a major tourist attraction and a noted ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.
Considered to be one of Britain’s first resorts, Weymouth was popularised by the fourteen visits made by King George III and the Royal family between 1789 and 1805. Drawn to the sea for its therapeutic properties, the King’s visits created a trend which was followed by many others, building the town into what we have today and leaving us with a beautiful Georgian seafront and a small city with a vibrant tourist industry. Located around the mouth of the River Wey and the Georgian harbour built in 1805, Weymouth is still a commercial port with a regular ferry service to the Channel Islands and supplies fishing, diving and cruising opportunities for tourists.
The city of Weymouth can trace its history back to at least Roman times having been a busy port from 43A.D. when the Roman Legions defeated the Celts at Maiden Castle, a huge Iron Age hill fort, and established Durnovaria (Dorcester). The port has always been the focus of the town, being known as a busy fishing and overseas trading centre for hundreds of years. It was here that in 1347 the Port of Weymouth supplied 15 ships and 260 mariners for the siege of Calais, again in 1348 it is thought that the ‘Black Plague’ entered Britain on board a spice ship and during the 15th century the town prospered through the large number of Pilgrims who sailed to Spain. The port was involved during 1588 in the fight against the Spanish Armada and later in the flow of emigrants to the New World!! The history of Weymouth over the last 600 years can be followed at the Timewalk Museum located at the Brewers Quay Complex.
Other attractions in Weymouth and the surrounding area include the Nothe Fort, a coastal fortress now a military museum displaying models and recounting everyday life of Victorian and World War II soldiers within the fort, it is located at the tip of the Bill of Portland - Kingston Lacy House, Wimborne Minster, a beautiful 17th century renaissance pallazo known for its paintings and surrounding parklands - Portland Castle built by King Henry VIII as part of his Device Forts to guard the English coast against invaders - Portland Museum located in two thatched cottage above Church Ope Cove tells some history of the area - Portland Bill Lighthouses - Portland Stone Sculpture Park, and the tiny St George’s Church at Reforne, Portland. If you are keen on bird watching have a look at Radipole Lake an R.S.P.B. Nature Reserve in the centre of Weymouth or take a trip to the Isle of Portland and Chesil beach for migratory birds!!
If the weather is fine its almost impossible not to have a great time!!
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